Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-03-10
A REBELS ROMANCE.
Finding Wife and Daughter After Twenty-
Four Years Separation--A Story OF tbs
War.
Cleveland Leader.

War.
Cleveland Leader
A strange story containing all the es-
sential points of first class romance,
was narrated to reporter last evening.
After a separation of twentyfour years,
both thinking the other dead, husband
and wife were united in the home of
their marriage. The story, as near as can
be ascertained is as follows: John Taylor
was born in this city about forty-fvc
years ago. He was the son of a Presby-
terrain minister. The family resided in
Cleveland until few years before the
rebellion, when they removed to the
South. The Rev. Taylor secured pas
torate and his children became imbued
with the Southern spirit. Before leaving
Cleveland, John Taylor married hand
some young lady, but the alliance was
made without the consent of his family.
His wife went South with him however,
and at the breaking out of the war Tay-
lor enlisted in a confederate regiment.
His abilities we're speedily recognized
by his superior officers and promotion
was rapid. The time came when trust
ed cemmissary had to be sent to England
on an important mission. Taylor being
quick, intelligent man with diplomatic
qualities, he was detailed to go. The
trip occupied several months, and when
Taylor returned, he found that a daught-
er had been born to him during his alb
sence. Taylor had been but short time
with his little family when the Rebel
Government again needed his services
and he was dispatched to England for a
second time. A great sorrow was in
store for him, and when he returned to
his Southern home he inquired for his
wife and child. He was told by his friends
that both were dead. The war was soon
ended, and a few months later Taylor's
father died in Cincinnati. His estate
was divided among seven children, and
John received $4,000 as his share. With
this money he went to England and studi-
ed medicine in London. Graduating, he
settled in small city not far from Lon
don. His practice was not very lucrative
and after returning to London for short
time, he went to Australia. Here he fol-
lowed his profession successfully. Dur
ing all these years he searched for his
daughter, not believing that she had died.
In pursuit of her he twice came to this
city, but could not find the slightest trace
of her. Mrs. Taylor was told, so it has
been ascertained lately, that her husband
was dead, and soon after she came North
and has resided principally in Cleveland
The daughter became young lady, and
about year ago she married a machinist
named Meyer. She told her husband that
she believed that her father was not dead,
and her reasons for holding that opinion.
Meyer determined to find the father, if
he was alive. He wrote several letters to
London, and received an answer that
Taylor had studied medicine Further in
vestigatiOn was made, and it was learned
that Taylor had gone to Australia. Know
ing that DR.. Taylor had always taken an
interest in sporting matters, his daughter
caused advertisements to be placed in
the leading sporting journals of London
and New York City. Nothing was heard
ia response to these notices, and letters
were addressed to DIR. Taylor at Mel
bourne and Sydney, in Australia. The
letter addressed to him at the latter place
fell into his hands about four months
ago. He Immediately answered it, and
soon after received one from his daughter
stating that she and her mother were still
alive and living in Cleveland. DR.. Taylor
did not wait to answer the last missive,
but, packing up, he took the first steamer
for San Fran cisco, and arrived in Cleve- |
land two weeks ago to-day. He met his
wife, and daughter after separation of
twenty four years. DR.. Taylor viii re-
main in the city for some time. An I'M
successful effort was made to find h1al
last night at his home on Sterling avenue. |
The story as given above, was related to
a Leader reporter by a gentleman who
heard it from DR.. Taylor several days
ago.